A Low Mean Closing Load and a Decrease in Load Change at the Tip Increase the Comfort of Scissors.

Introduction During surgery, surgeons intuitively recognize when they are using dull scissors and find them difficult to use. The purpose of this study was to objectively evaluate the physical characteristics of scissors and the comfort reported by surgeons to develop objective quality control standards for scissors used in surgery. Methods Sensory and measurement tests were conducted to evaluate the comfort and physical characteristics of ten pairs of Cooper scissors. As a sensory test, thirty-one volunteer surgeons opened and closed the scissors and selected three that felt comfortable and three that were uncomfortable. The results were scored. For measurement, a load was applied to the handle of the scissors. The load pressure and displacement of the width between each handle when the scissors were closed were measured. Results A strong negative correlation was found between the total comfort score and the mean load value between sensory and measurement tests (r=-0.717, p=0.0195). The correlation between the total score and the change in load at the tip showed a moderate negative correlation (r=-0.687, p=0.0282). Multiple regression analysis showed that the change in load at the tip was an independent factor affecting the total score. Conclusions Surgeons consider scissors with a low mean load required to close the scissors and a small change in load at the tip to be comfortable. The mean load on scissors and the change in load at the tip should be considered in the development of quality control standards for scissors used in surgery.

Upward-directed exit-site of the swan-neck catheter and "Easy-to-disinfect the backside area of exit-site" may prevent PD complications.

BACKGROUND: Upward-directed exit-site has been believed to be the worst for frequent ESI by an old retrospective study using straight catheters. No comparison study of 3 exit-site directions using swan-neck catheter has been performed regarding which direction is the best for our endpoints, Easy-to-see the backside area of exit-site: ESBE, Easy-to-disinfect the backside area of exit-site: EDBE, reduction of both exit-site infection (ESI), symptomatic catheter dislocation and peritonitis. METHODS: We assessed the relationship of exit-site direction with our endpoints in a quantitative cross-sectional, multicentered questionnaire survey. Patients who received either non-surgical catheter implantation or exit-site surgery were excluded. RESULTS: The numbers (percentage) of exit-site directions in included 291 patients were upward 79 (26.0), lateralward 108 (37.5) and downward 105 (36.5). Cochran-Armitage analysis showed a significant step-ladder increase in the prevalence of ESI as the direction changed from upward to lateralward to downward (0.15 ± 0.41, 0.25 ± 0.54, 0.38 ± 0.69 episodes/patient-year, p = 0.03). Multivariable regression analysis revealed the upward exit-site independently associates with both higher frequency of ESBE (OR 5.55, 95% CI 2.23-16.45, p < 0.01) and reduction of prevalence of ESI (OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.27-0.98, p = 0.04). Positive association between the prevalence of symptomatic catheter dislocation and ESI (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.27-7.82, p = 0.01), and inverse association between EDBE and either prevalence of symptomatic catheter dislocation (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.11-0.72) or peritonitis (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23-0.99) observed. CONCLUSION: Upward-directed swan-neck catheter exit-site may be the best for both ESBE and prevention of ESI. EDBE may reduce catheter dislocation and peritonitis. Symptomatic catheter dislocation may predict ESI.

Noninvasive total counting of cultured cells using a home-use scanner with a pattern sheet.

The inherent variability in cell culture techniques hinders their reproducibility. To address this issue, we introduce a comprehensive cell observation device. This new approach enhances the features of existing home-use scanners by implementing a pattern sheet. Compared with fluorescent staining, our method over- or underestimated the cell count by a mere 5%. The proposed technique showcased a strong correlation with conventional methodologies, displaying R2 values of 0.91 and 0.99 compared with the standard chamber and fluorescence methods, respectively. Simulations of microscopic observations indicated the potential to estimate accurately the total cell count using just 20 fields of view. Our proposed cell-counting device offers a straightforward, noninvasive means of measuring the number of cultured cells. By harnessing the power of deep learning, this device ensures data integrity, thereby making it an attractive option for future cell culture research.

Evaluation of Scissor Glide Characteristics Through Surgeons' Subjective Assessment: The Application of Nitriding in Scissor Hardening Tests.

INTRODUCTION: In robotic surgery, studies on providing tactile feedback to users are ongoing. However, the accuracy of the subjective sensations of surgeons, as users, has been largely unassessed. This study aimed to assess the validity of surgeons' subjective evaluations of scissors resistance through interindividual, inter-surgeon, and objective evaluations. Furthermore, in this study, we explored the possibility of using nitriding to increase the hardness of the scissors and assessed changes in subjective resistance values before and after nitriding using this approach. METHOD: Five surgeons conducted validation of five curved surgical scissors (145 mm; Arakawa Seisakujyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and assessed their subjective resistance using a scale from 0 to 10, where a rating of 10 signified significant resistance impeding the scissors' closure. The temporal changes in subjective resistance values, from maximum open to close, were graphically recorded. To demonstrate the reproducibility of subjective resistance values, the subjective resistance values of the same control scissors were measured at intervals of at least two weeks, and the correlation coefficient was calculated. To analyze the closing characteristics of subjective resistance values between different pairs of scissors, the effect of scissor type and scissor closure position was compared as two independent variables using a two-factor analysis of variance. A comparative evaluation was conducted to assess the frictional properties of scissors after nitriding, comparing the subjective assessment by surgeons with the objective assessment using a digital force gauge. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient of subjective resistance values measured by surgeons demonstrated a high reproducibility of 0.746. A two-factor analysis of variance conducted on subjective resistance values demonstrated the presence of a primary effect for the sample factor (scissors), as well as for the position factor (closing process), with the additional observation of the interaction between these two factors. The results from the two-factor analysis of variance above provide evidence supporting the validity of the subjective resistance measurements. There was a significant increase in subjective resistance after the nitriding process. The graph of subjective resistance values and objective resistance values showed similarity. CONCLUSIONS: The surgeons' subjective assessment of scissors resistance showed high reproducibility and validity, as evidenced by distinguishable differences in scissor movement interactions and pre- and post-nitriding resistance. Further studies are warranted to expand on these findings.

NT-pro BNP level at dialysis initiation is a useful biomarker for predicting hospitalization for ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are at high risk of cardiovascular disease including stroke, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease (IHD). To prevent the occurrence and progression of CVD, a reliable prognostic cardiac biomarker is essential. We investigated the prognostic value of NT-proBNP for each incident type of CVD. METHODS: Male patients from the Ibaraki Dialysis Initiation Cohort (iDIC) study with preserved serum samples from dialysis initiation day (n = 212) were analyzed. Patients were classified into four groups according to quartiles of baseline NT-pro BNP levels. The relationship between NT-proBNP levels at the initiation of dialysis and the subsequent incidence of hospitalization events due to IHD, heart failure, and stroke was analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence rate for hospitalization due to IHD was significantly higher in the highest NT-proBNP category (Log rank p = 0.008); those of stroke and heart failure showed no significant differences among quartiles. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that serum NT-proBNT was the only prognostic factor for hospitalization for IHD after adjustment by major known IHD risk factors. (HR, 1.008; 95% confidence interval, 1.002-1.014; p = 0.01) The ROC curve analysis for the incidence of hospitalization due to IHD showed that NT-proBNP had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.759 (95% CI 0.622-0.897; p = 0.004) at a cut-off value of 956.6 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: NT-proBNP measurement at the initiation of dialysis therapy is useful to predict later hospitalization for IHD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000010806.

Predicting positron emission tomography brain amyloid positivity using interpretable machine learning models with wearable sensor data and lifestyle factors.

BACKGROUND: Developing a screening method for identifying individuals at higher risk of elevated brain amyloid burden is important to reduce costs and burden to patients in clinical trials on Alzheimer's disease or the clinical setting. We developed machine learning models using objectively measured lifestyle factors to predict elevated brain amyloid burden on positron emission tomography. METHODS: Our prospective cohort study of non-demented, community-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years was conducted from August 2015 to September 2019 in Usuki, Oita Prefecture, Japan. One hundred and twenty-two individuals with mild cognitive impairment or subjective memory complaints (54 men and 68 women, median age: 75.50 years) wore wearable sensors and completed self-reported questionnaires, cognitive test, and positron emission tomography imaging at baseline. Moreover, 99 individuals in the second year and 61 individuals in the third year were followed up. In total, 282 eligible records with valid wearable sensors, cognitive test results, and amyloid imaging and data on demographic characteristics, living environments, and health behaviors were used in the machine learning models. Amyloid positivity was defined as a standardized uptake value ratio of ≥ 1.4. Models were constructed using kernel support vector machine, Elastic Net, and logistic regression for predicting amyloid positivity. The mean score among 10 times fivefold cross-validation repeats was utilized for evaluation. RESULTS: In Elastic Net, the mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model using objectively measured lifestyle factors alone was 0.70, whereas that of the models using wearable sensors in combination with demographic characteristics and health and life environment questionnaires was 0.79. Moreover, 22 variables were common to all machine learning models. CONCLUSION: Our machine learning models are useful for predicting elevated brain amyloid burden using readily-available and noninvasive variables without the need to visit a hospital. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This prospective study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local ethics committee of Oita University Hospital (UMIN000017442). A written informed consent was obtained from all participants. This research was performed based on the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting guideline.

Production of marmoset eggs and embryos from xenotransplanted ovary tissues.

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has attracted attention as a valuable primate model for the analysis of human diseases. Despite the potential for primate genetic modification, however, its widespread lab usage has been limited due to the requirement for a large number of eggs. To make up for traditional oocyte retrieval methods such as hormone administration and surgical techniques, we carried out an alternative approach by utilizing ovarian tissue from deceased marmosets that had been disposed of. This ovarian tissue contains oocytes and can be used as a valuable source of follicles and oocytes. In this approach, the ovarian tissue sections were transplanted under the renal capsules of immunodeficient mice first. Subsequent steps consist of development of follicles by hormone administrations, induction of oocyte maturation and fertilization, and culture of the embryo. This method was first established with rat ovaries, then applied to marmoset ovaries, ultimately resulting in the successful acquisition of the late-stage marmoset embryos. This approach has the potential to contribute to advancements in genetic modification research and disease modeling through the use of primate models, promoting biotechnology with non-human primates and the 3Rs principle in animal experimentation.

Case of hereditary kidney disease presenting thin basement membrane with a single heterozygous variant of Intersectin 2.

Objective: Intersectin 2 (ITSN2) is reported to cause hereditary nephrotic syndrome, but the number of cases remains quite small. We observed a case of progressive renal dysfunction and family history for end-stage kidney disease with a known single heterozygous ITSN2 variant. This study aimed to reveal the novel pathological significance of altered ITSN2 expression via a detailed examination. Patient and Methods: A 52-year-old Japanese woman with mild proteinuria and hematuria visited our center. The patient did not opt for a detailed examination but was instead followed up with conservative treatment consisting of low-dose angiotensin receptor blockers. Serum Cr worsened from 1.15 to 1.79 mg/dL after 7 years when precise diagnosis was performed by renal biopsy and genetic testing. Results: Kidney biopsy showed a thin basement membrane (TBM) and global glomerulosclerosis in 37.5% (6 out of 16) glomeruli examined. Comprehensive gene panel testing of 121 genes revealed a known ITSN2 variant, assumed to be involved in pathogenesis. No variants in the Alport syndrome genes, which are typically responsible for TBM, were detected. Conclusion: A possible novel phenotype of the heterozygous ITSN2 variant was identified as a cause of hereditary renal failure. Further investigation of similar cases is required for a better understanding.

The effect of refresher training on fact description in medical incident report writing in the Japanese language.

To maintain the effectiveness of the training (1st-Training Session: 1st-TS) to accurate describe facts in the medical incident reports (IRs) in Japanese, a refresher TS was designed and its effectiveness was examined. First, textual analysis showed that IRs' accuracy significantly decreased six months after the 1st-TS. Based on this result, the refresher TS was designed and conducted with 64 residents. To verify the refresher TS' effectiveness, IRs after the 1st-TS, six months later, and after the refresher TS were compared via text analysis. The results showed that the refresher TS restored the description rate of patient's background, safety check procedures, original work procedures, information on equipment used, reporter's actions, and post-incident response. The questionnaire was also administered and showed that the refresher TS contributed to residents' motivation to learn about IRs. In conclusion, the refresher TS contributed to sustaining the effect of the 1st-TS on accurately describing IRs.

Central diabetes insipidus with anti-rabphilin-3A antibody positivity causing hypovolemic shock after resection of tumorous lesions in the pelvic cavity.

A 36-year-old female was pointed out to have liver enzyme elevation by routine health checkup. Subsequent contrast-enhanced CT scan identified gigantic uterine fibroids and retroperitoneal tumor. She was referred to the gynecologist at JA Toride Medical Center and planned to undergo a uterus enucleation and biopsy of the retroperitoneal tumor. The surgery was conducted without any troubles. After the surgery, the patient presented polyuria with urine volume 10-20 L a day and developed hypovolemic shock. Laboratory test revealed hypotonic urine and hypernatremia. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) loading test suggested shortage of endogenous vasopressin. Since the subcutaneous administration of AVP was not sufficient to control the urine volume, continuous intravenous infusion of AVP was initiated. After achieving hemodynamic stability, the treatment was switched to oral desmopressin. MRI finding indicated attenuation of high signal in posterior pituitary in T1 weighted image while neither enlargement of pituitary nor thickening of pituitary stalk was indicated by enhanced MRI. Hypertonic salt solution test indicated no responsive elevation of AVP, confirming the diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Her anterior pituitary function was preserved. Only anti-rabphilin-3A antibody was found positive in the serum of the patient, while other secondary causes for CDI were denied serologically and radiologically. Hence, lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis　(LINH) was suspected as the final diagnosis. Hormonal replacement therapy by nasal desmopressin was continued and the patient managed to control her urine volume. In cases of CDI considered idiopathic with conventional examinations, anti-rabphilin-3A antibody may be a clue for determining the cause as LINH.

An online feedback system for laparoscopic training during the COVID-19 pandemic: evaluation from the trainer perspective.

Objective: A system to provide feedback for laparoscopic training using an online conferencing system during the COVID-19 pandemic was developed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate this system from the trainer perspective. Design: A procedural feedback system using an online conferencing system was devised. Setting: Surgical training was observed using an online conferencing system (Zoom). Feedback was provided while viewing suture videos which are, as a feature of this system, pre-recorded. Feedback was then recorded. Trainer comments were then converted into text, summarized as feedback items, and sorted by suture phase which facilitates reflection. Trainers completed a questionnaire concerning the usability of the online feedback session. Results: Eleven trainers were selected. Physicians had an average experience of 21.9 ± 5.9 years (mean ± standard deviation). The total number of feedback items obtained by classifying each phase was 32. Based on questionnaire results, 91% of trainers were accustomed to the use of Zoom, and 100% felt that online procedural education was useful. In questions regarding system effectiveness, more than 70% of trainers answered positively to all questions, and in questions about efficiency, more than 70% of trainers answered positively. Only 55% of the trainers felt that this system was easy to use, but 91% were satisfied as trainers. Conclusions: The results of the questionnaire suggest that this system has high usability for training. This online system could be a useful tool for providing feedback in situations where face-to-face education is difficult.

Laparoscopic surgical skill evaluation with motion capture and eyeglass gaze cameras: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: An eyeglass gaze camera and a skeletal coordinate camera without sensors attached to the operator's body were used to monitor gaze and movement during a simulated surgical procedure. These new devices have the potential to change skill assessment for laparoscopic surgery. The suitability of these devices for skill assessment was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six medical students, six intermediate surgeons, and four experts performed suturing tasks in a dry box. The tip positions of the instruments were identified from video recordings. Performance was evaluated based on instrument movement, gaze, and skeletal coordination. RESULTS: Task performance time and skeletal coordinates were not significantly different among skill levels. The total movement distance of the right instrument was significantly different depending on the skill level. The SD of the gaze coordinates was significantly different depending on skill level and was less for experts. The expert's gaze stayed in a small area with little blurring. CONCLUSIONS: The SD of gaze point coordinates correlates with laparoscopic surgical skill level. These devices may facilitate objective intraoperative skill evaluation in future studies.

Training residents in medical incident report writing to improve incident investigation quality and efficiency enables accurate fact gathering.

We assessed whether training on writing readable and accurate medical incident reports (IRs) improves the quality of fact description. In this training, 124 residents created fictional IRs. We provided tips, including using When, Where, Who, What, Why, How. We compared the fictional IRs with and without tips, and the trainees' and non-trainees' IRs submitted in the first five months after training. Results indicated that the subject words in IRs were more clarified and the readability was improved. The fictional IRs using tips were more accurate, with increased descriptions of the patient's background, reporter's actions, team members' actions and conversations, safety check procedures, result of the error, and post-incident response. The reporter's actions, work procedures, and environment were more clarified in the trainees' IRs than in the non-trainees' IRs. This training may help analysts comprehend the sequence of and underlying factors for reporter's actions based on IRs.

Study protocol and baseline characteristics of newly induced dialysis patients: a prospective multi-center cohort study with a biological sample bank, the Ibaraki Dialysis Initiation Cohort (iDIC) study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) face higher risks of life-threatening events including cardiovascular disease. Various risk factors are identified as agents influencing the life prognosis of ESKD patients. Herein, we evaluated the risk factors related to the outcomes of Japanese patients with dialysis induction. We present the study protocol, the patients' baseline characteristics, and their outcomes. METHODS: The Ibaraki Dialysis Initiation Cohort (iDIC) Study is a prospective multi-center cohort study in collaboration with 60 tertiary-care facilities in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. We collected baseline data from clinical records and analyzed blood and urine samples of these facilities' patients with diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, and chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). The study's primary outcome was the survival rate at 24 months after dialysis induction. We performed a Kaplan-Meier analysis for cumulative survival and a Cox proportional hazards analysis for all-cause mortality and hospitalization. RESULTS: We analyzed 636 patients' cases (424 males, 212 females, age 67.4 ± 13.1 yrs. [mean ± SD]). We compared the patients' baseline data with those of similar cohort studies. As the primary kidney disease, 327 cases (51.4%) were diagnosed as diabetic nephropathy, 101 (15.9%) as hypertensive nephrosclerosis, and 114 (17.9%) as CGN. The mean serum creatinine value was 9.1 ± 2.9 mg/dL. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 5.6 ± 1.8 mL/min/1.73m2. The cumulative survival rates at 6 months and 24 months after dialysis induction were 95.2 and 87.7%, respectively. The cumulative survival rate was significantly lower with increasing age. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that high age was significantly associated with all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the clinical characteristics of these newly induced dialysis patients, the same trend as in other cohort studies was observed. Another study is underway to explore prognostic factors based on the iDIC Study's findings.

Levels of Soluble NKG2D Ligands and Cancer History in Patients Starting Hemodialysis.

Background: Immune dysfunction in hemodialysis patients is partially due to NK cell impairment. Ligands for NK activating receptors such as NKG2D expressed on cancer cells are involved in NK cell dysfunction and can lead to cancer development. Methods: A cohort with 370 patients who started hemodialysis (HD) was investigated. Serum levels of soluble NKG2D ligands were measured. Cancer history was defined as any cancer diagnosis at induction and hospitalization and death due to cancer during 2-year follow-up. Results: Sixty-two patients with and 308 patients without a cancer history showed mostly comparable biochemical parameters and uremic status at HD induction. Soluble MICB, ULBP-1, and ULBP-2 were detected in sera from most patients starting HD rather than MICA, the most representative NKG2D ligand. Measured NKG2D ligands, except for ULBP-1, were strongly correlated with each other. Correlations between NKG2D ligands and renal function were significant but modest in patients starting HD. Cancer history did not have any impact on levels of soluble NKG2D ligands. Discussion: Even though this investigation lacked a control cohort and serial measurement of parameters, expression patterns of NKG2D ligands were comprehensively described, and the significance of cancer in patients starting HD was elucidated for the first time. Elevated levels of soluble NKG2D ligands occurred potentially due to complex mechanisms of oxidative stress, with insufficient metabolism and excretion in a uremic milieu, but they might mask the significance of elevations in serum levels of soluble NKG2DLs in patients with a cancer history.

SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF A STATIC WEARABLE CHAIR FOR PATIENTS REQUIRING REHABILITATION: A PRELIMINARY REPORT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acceptability of using a static wearable chair for patients requiring rehabilitation. METHODS: The acceptability of use of a static wearable chair during rehabilitation was assessed via static balance and subjective evaluation of 7 healthy subjects and 3 patients during standing training. Participants performed 1 standing task in free mode (in which the knee could bend freely) and 1 in support mode (in which the user could sit on the wearable chair with the knee slightly bent) for 3 min. For balance evaluation, the skeletal coordinates were measured. For subjective evaluation, a visual analogue scale questionnaire was administered before and after each task. RESULTS: Balance assessment revealed that patients had less head sway during support, whereas subjective evaluation showed that the device support created a positive psychological state in terms of stability, comfort, satisfaction, interest in usage, and motivation for rehabilitation. However, patients reported feeling strangeness, fear, or restraint during support. CONCLUSION: The static wearable chair improved the static balance of 3 patients and created a more positive psychological state. Use of the device is considered acceptable for use with rehabilitation patients. However, patients might feel strangeness, fear, and restraint during support. Familiarization with the static wearable chair may make it more acceptable among rehabilitation patients.

Transition of lymphocyte subsets in peritoneal dialysis effluent and its relationship to peritoneal damage.

Objective: Peritoneal function during peritoneal dialysis (PD) declines over time due to peritoneal inflammation; however, the immunological mechanism has not been fully clarified. Here, we examined changes in each cellular fraction in the peritoneal dialysis effluent by flow cytometry and their relationship to peritoneal damage. Patients and Methods: We enrolled 23 patients who began PD between 2006 and 2017 and had available datasets of the peritoneal equilibration test and flow cytometric analysis for at least three consecutive visits, with an interval of six months from six months after introducing PD. The levels and changes in each cellular fraction, dialysate/plasma (D/P) creatinine ratio, and the forward scatter (FSC) ratio of mesothelial cells to lymphocytes were compared using a simple linear regression analysis. Results: Among the examined variables, only the fraction of CD8+ TCM cells during the first observation was significantly correlated with the change rate in the D/P creatinine ratio (ß=1.47, P=0.001, adjusted R2=0.379). The CD8+ naïve T and CD8+ TCM cell fractions were negatively correlated with the change rate of the D/P creatinine ratio (naïve T cells: ß=-0.058, P=0.022, adjusted R2=0.188; TCM cells: ß=-0.096, P=0.046, adjusted R2=0.137). In addition, the change rates of the D/P creatinine ratio tended to be higher, though not significantly (one way ANOVA; P=0.080), in accordance with the increase in the change rate of the CD8+ effector memory T cells (TEM). Conclusion: The CD8+ naïve T and TCM cells may transition into TEM cells by repeated exposure to the dialysate over time. The TEM cells residing in the peritoneum may play a significant role in the progression of peritoneal damage.

Years of experience is more effective in defining experts in the gaze analysis of laparoscopic suturing task than task duration.

In this study, the relationship between gaze patterns, task duration, and years of experience, which are commonly used to define and evaluate expert surgeons in laparoscopic surgery, was identified. Ten surgeons with 1-28 years of experience and six inexperienced students were included. Subjects used forceps to repeat the task of suturing a suture pad. Each subject wore an eye-marking recorder, and gaze points were recorded and analyzed. No significant relationship between task duration and gaze pattern was observed. However, there was a significant relationship between a surgeon's years of experience and the percentage of time spent gazing at the forceps. Subjects with more years of experience operated without looking at the forceps and fixed their gaze on the operational target. Therefore, when analyzing laparoscopic gazing patterns, it may be more appropriate to define an "expert" based on the years of experience rather than task duration.

Predominant tubulointerstitial lupus nephritis with preceding pernicious anemia.

Predominant tubulointerstitial nephritis with negligible glomerular lesions is a rare form of lupus nephritis. Although tubulointerstitial changes occur in two-thirds of patients with lupus nephritis, these lesions were mostly accompanied by glomerulonephritis. Predominant tubulointerstitial lupus nephritis has been reported to be only 13 cases in the literature as far as we surveyed. Here, we present a case of a 72-year-old male who had pancytopenia associated with pernicious anemia and later developed a mild proteinuria and renal insufficiency. Although urinary tubulointerstitial markers increased, serological screening tests for tubulointerstitial nephritis were all negative. Three months later, the patient was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus, based on polyarthritis, positive antinuclear antibody, immunological disorder and hematological disorder. Renal biopsy revealed severe infiltration of mononuclear cells in the interstitium with minimal abnormalities in glomeruli. Positive IgG and C1q staining with immunofluorescence antibody method in the tubular basement membrane and dense deposits in the same region with electron microscopy confirmed a diagnosis of predominant tubulointerstitial lupus nephritis. Since the patient's renal function declined rapidly, treatment with intravenous 500 mg methyl prednisolone followed by 40 mg/day of oral prednisolone was initiated. The patient's renal function improved and became stable even after tapering of prednisolone. Although lupus nephritis is generally accompanied by multiple symptoms such as fever, malaise, arthralgia, rashes, this case showed only pernicious anemia and tubulointerstitial nephritis initially.